DESERET NEWS - KSL STERLING SCHOLAR AWARDS

2014 STUDENT ENTRY FORM

Name Of Nominee: Sasha McKee

School: Jordan Category: Skilled and Technicial Sciences Education


American College Testing (ACT) -

English: 22 Math: 28 Reading: 26 Sci./Reasoning: 27 Composite: 26

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) -

Reading: Mathematics: Writing:

Supporting Attachment - Transcript
Supporting Attachment - Letter of Recommendation
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95 East Beetdigger Boulevard
Sandy, Utah 84070
Phone: (801) 826-6200
.
Fax (801) 826-6209
Ecch{ia.+cne"
o66ember 1.3,2013
Dear Sterling Scholar Committee:
I am writing in behalf of Sasha Mckee. I have known Sasha for three years, and I know her to be a
dedicated and well-rounded student.
I had the opportunity to teach Sasha for two years in Honors ELA lOand Honors ELA 11. ln those classes
she demonstrated the focus on academic excellence that has allowed her to be on the Honor Roll foi her
entire high school career. Because of her academic abilities in all areas, she has also been a member of
the National Junior Honor Society and is currently a member in good standing of Jordan's chapter of the
National Honor Society. ln addition to general scholarship, Sasha also excels in spgcific subjegts, She has
earned an Academic Letter in Foreign Language (spanish) here at Jordan and placed third at the
Technology Student Association 2013 State Competition in the area of Animatronics,
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Sasha dees nqt e{C.el on[y at academics,,slie is alsq invdlved in extra-curricu]ar activities of many kindl
f,?nle;e.nce;,l.af't-qt4g.
an$rFtioq.qtJe,ar,ns, 5he is the pr"esident-9f th9 T0chndtogy Student Association
'this
ye6ran-d:Serti*.dff thqjturi.lsf.Bresident and treasurer: of the club, in past years.
She
is an active
member of the National Honor Society as well. Despite these many activities and a part.time job at Little
Sas"ha, algg,fiinri;lrrne' offerr sUr.vice in'her community. Within the school she gffers tutoring iervices for
free. She has voiunteered at liidian HillS,
Elementary
school for severalyears to help a teacher after
"',
school. She has also taught community lacrosse classes, again on a volunteer basis. This shows that
,
Sasha understands the value of looking to help others instead of
just
focusing on self. .
.
.-
Overallsasha McKee is an outstanding individual. She is bright, dedicated, and hard-wo'rking. I know
that she will be successful at any endeavor she tries.
Ala ina Sto ne
English Teacher
Tom Sherwood
Principal
Steven Bailey
Wendy Dau
Darrell Jensen
Roberto Jimenez
Assistant Principals
CA]VYOI{S
School District
S ince re ly,
Honoring the Past Embracing the Present Anticrpaling the Fufurt"


In 20 words or less, list up to six activities, honors and awards relating to your category.
1. Third at Technology Student Association (TSA) State Competition in animatronics
2. Received a Ken Garff Keys to Success Card based upon my hard work and dedication in class
3. Academic letter in Foreign Language in Spanish by meeting all requirements set by the Jordan High Athletic Department and
Administration
4. President's Education Award based upon "outstanding excellence" and success in my academics
5. Honor Roll - I have achieved all requirement to receive honor roll since my freshman year.
6. Viking of the Day based on my "work ethic and desire to go above and beyond"

Choose one of the activities, honors or awards, describe it briefly and explain why it was meaningful to you. What did you learn
and what did you accomplish?
Last March, I had the opportunity to represent Jordan High School at the Technology Student Association (TSA) State Competition. I
initiated this process through entering into Animatronics with a partner, and we spent four months and hundreds of hours creating a
talking head outside of class time. During that time, we overcame various challenges, were eventually successful and placed third at the
state competition.

The head was created using Fisher Technic, a brand which combined programming and building blocks into one system. We designed the
head to have the ability to light up its eyes and move its ears, tongue and mouth. One of the harder problems to solve was the jaw
movement utilizing a pivot at the base of the head, similar to a humans mouth. The jaw was animated by a pneumatic system which
pushed and pulled at the base. Without any previous knowledge of pneumatics, it required us to research not only the construction of a
pneumatic system, but also how to program within Fisher Technic. We spent many hours programming the jaw movement to match the
prerecorded speech, which replicated a realistic human appearance. We had many different problems that occurred, which resulted in
alterations to the original system. Although the jaw was very difficult to master, it was more memorable based upon all the new
principals that I learned and the new problem solving techniques that were used. These skills I obtained will apply directly in my future
career in the biomedical field.

This project was meaningful to me through the construction of the animatronics device verifying my passion to create biomedical devices
that will eventually help people. The process that I went through are very similar to the type of procedure that will be used in my future
career. Application of pneumatic systems and computer programming will apply directly in many biomedical engineering specialties.
Additionally the skills necessary to effectively communicate with my partner will generalize to a plethora of new situations.

Supporting Attachment - Category Description
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List up to six activities, honors and awards that relate to the leadership qualifications.
1. Technology Student Association President, Junior President, and Treasurer
2. Varsity Lacrosse Captain
3. Little Caesar's crew member since August of 2012
4. Lacrosse 1st Team All-State
5. Utah-Idaho National Lacrosse Team since 2010
6. Defensive Player of the Year

Choose one of the activities, honors or awards that relate to the leadership qualification and describe it briefly.
Since joining TSA (Technology Student Association) as a sophomore, I have had the privilege to be a club officer and provide support to
fellow members. Typical support I offer includes providing guidance on technology topics and the way devices function. I communicate
with my advisor and devise agendas for all business meetings. My duties require I lead the meetings, effectively communicate deadlines
for various club goals and discuss fundraising opportunities.

Each year, I have held successively advanced positions in TSA with increasing duties and responsibilities. As a sophomore, I was the
Treasurer and trusted with all of Jordans TSA funds. Last year, as a junior, I was Jordans TSA Junior President which allowed me to
help oversee all activities of the club, and have input into the direction the club was taking. Now as a senior, I have the utmost privilege
to truly lead the club as President. With the help of my fellow officers we determine all club activities and meetings. As the club
President I am able to help advise all TSA members and officers in preparation for our upcoming competition in March.

As well as being the president this year, I have also been the assigned the leader of our VEX team. VEX toss-up is a competition in
which we create a robot from scratch that can maneuver through out a course to place balls for points. The Vex Robotics competition
allows me to apply my knowledge from my past Skilled and Technical education experiences as well as learn to solve new and more
difficult challenges.

All of these officer positions have made me a more rounded person and allowed me to grow as a leader of my peers. I have experienced
success in each of the various roles while developing more responsibility. These traits will be invaluable in all my future endeavors, and
will be an asset in college as a biomedical engineer.

Supporting Attachment - Leadership Description
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List up to six activities, honors or awards that relate to the qualifications for Community Service and/or Citizenship.
1. National Honors Society
2. Volunteer time to help Teachers at local elementary
3. Math tutor for past three years
4. Taught Lacrosse to 7th and 8th graders
5. National Juniors Honors Society
6. Built wooden cars for local fire department

Choose one of the activities, honors or awards that relate to the Community Service/ Citizenship qualification and describe it
briefly.
Tutoring has been one of my longest, ongoing experiences in volunteering. Since my sophomore year, I have had the honor to be asked
multiple times for help in math. Having a strong suit in math allows me to help fellow students when they struggle. Having a passion for
hard work, I had the opportunity to skip pre-algebra which opened more doors for me to tutor individuals because it put me a step ahead.
Many of the students I help come from my lacrosse team, which allows me to continue to help my fellow student-athletes. Interestingly,
tutoring has taught me many lessons as well.

First, and not too uncharacteristic, is that I developed a stronger understanding of the material I was presenting. I had to develop a better
understanding of the mathematical concepts than what was covered in class. Additionally, I had to devise additional examples to
illustrate the material in other ways than described in the texts. I also broke tougher concepts down into smaller increment steps to
manage these complex ideas.

Secondly, maybe more unusual, was that tutoring has led to an improvement in my interpersonal relations as a whole. My experience has
proven to be very beneficial for learning patience with people. When I tutor I ensure to take the necessary time for the individual to fully
understand the concept being discussed. My patience has proven to be a very important key allowing the proper time for students to
better gain an understanding of the concepts. Tutoring also requires tolerance of the student which has expanded my communication
skills and my ability to understand more effectively. These traits have helped improve my character as a person.

Thirdly, tutoring is an opportunity for me to help others. Other students need help and I can provide that assistance. I have learned I
enjoy helping people in need. A trait I always knew about myself in general, but long term tutoring has reinforced that knowledge.
Tutoring provides a beneficial outcome for all parties actively involved.

I have learned more about myself through the opportunities which tutoring has provided, including the assurance that I have a solid
mathematics base. Being able to aid other people, benefits myself as well as others and it appears to be gateway to other future
opportunities that could include tutoring in college or other possible teaching opportunities.

Supporting Attachment - Community Service / Citizenship Description

Describe two or three unique things about yourself and relate them to your category. If possible, include challenges you have
overcome and describe any distinctive experiences that have affected you.
One of my more unique qualities is, unfortunately, my health, or lack thereof. During my freshman year, I had to take an extended leave
of absence from school due to a health issue, which led to my placement on home/hospital for school. The entire process took about four
months for doctors to draw the final conclusion. During that time, I spent about 2 months on home/hospital. As one doctor said, I
went into medicine because I thought it was an exact science, but it is not. This statement proved to be correct. My symptoms lead to a
variety of examinations, tests, and medications. Initially there was a CT scan for appendicitis, a gluten-free diet for weeks, a scope to
detect issues associated with celiac, blood work up for bacterial problems, medication to help move the digestion, a pill for acid reflux,
and another pill to relax my stomach. Finally, I got back with my pediatrician and he had one last thought. With my atypical symptoms
he ordered a gall bladder test that resulted in a positive diagnosis. I am pleased to say it was removed successfully and I returned to
school healthy.

My most recent hurdle started during my Christmas break. With three back to back emergency room visits and a six day hospital stay in
the neurological trauma unit at Primary Childrens, I now have been diagnosed with abdominal migraines. Currently, I go about my day
with a constant headache and nausea. I am learning to cope with the issue on a daily basis and am looking forward to it improving in the
future. All of my health issues have not soured me, rather these experiences have helped me gain focus on my future career path.

These experiences have given me a firsthand experience with the medical field and empathy for others that need medical assistance. By
pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering, I will be able to tackle problems that plague individuals. By developing devices, alternative
medications, new delivery systems, or new techniques, which will assist doctors to detect problems quickly and more accurately, I will be
able to help people lead a more pain-free and productive life.

Another unique quality is my outgoing personality, this is strongly seen in my lacrosse endeavors and when building devices. While
working in groups, I insure that everybody is involved and gets a chance. I also encourage participation by respecting another persons
input into the activity. I also put effort into promoting confidence in others and teambuilding activities. Although people may view some
of my qualities as a disadvantage, I learn from those experiences and it betters my character as a whole.


How do you think your involvment in this category will enrich your life?
Being involved in the Skilled and Technical Sciences has already had a huge influence on my future. I plan to continue this type of
education in college by studying Biomedical Engineering. This career path will allow me to combine the building devices into health
industry help people. I hope to invent or actively participate on a team that creates a device, delivery system or apparatus that will
positively impact a population in need. Seeing this invention become readily available for a large population to benefit from it would be
a great accomplishment. The satisfaction and pride that I feel when helping people is invaluable.

Woodworking, TSA, Engineering, and auto mechanics are all very interesting topics to me which I enjoy being involved in. This year I
branched out and enrolled in woodshop. In the fall, I was familiarized with a large variety of wood working machines. After passing
safety tests, I started my project, a hope chest. While making the project, I learned about basic wood construction and the necessary
tools. Putting things together and figuring how to make things work have always been a passion for me. The entire process from start to
finish was exciting as the final product came to fruition. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to develop a confidence with operating
power tools. The biomedical field will utilize a variety of tools. With my woodworking background, I will have the confidence to utilize
small or large machines.


Supporting Attachment - Document
Jordan lligh School
95 East Beetdigger Boulevard
Sandy, Utah 8407A
Phone: (801
)
826-6200
.
(801) 826-6209
Karen Durfee
Jordan High School
95 East Beet digger BI-VD
Sandy, UT 84070
January 9,2014
Dear Sterling Scholar Selection Committee:
I have known Sasha McKee for three years here at Jordan High School. I have found her
to be a very special student. She is a one of a kind, hard- working, dedicated to education
student. She was in my Engineering class last year and her drive for quality rnade the
other students have to work harder to be successful. She set the bar for excellence.
Sasha has wonderful problem solving skills, spunk, and a personality that draws the best
out of people. She is driven to be successful. She has great work ethics. She participated
in the Technology Student Association competitions and represented our school well.
Sasha is a good team player as well. She can make a group act as one entity. She has
skills. I know Sashawill be the perfect candidate for entering the field of her choice at
graduation.
Feel free to contact rne at 8A1825-6279 or
*.hlough
my e-mail at
karen. durfee
@
canvonsdistrict. org if you have any que stions.
Thank you for considering Sasha as a candidate.
ty,
ilurtu
Karen B. Durfee
Engine ering/Techno lo gy
Robotics and Automation
Technology
Careers
Jordan High School
Canyons School District
Tom Sherwood
Principal
Wyatt Bentley
Jan Hansen
Darrell Jensen
Assistant Principals
Kelcely Kemp
Administrative lntern
CAI{YONS
School I)istrict
"$cctli66us"
Honoring the Past, Embracing the Present, Anticipating the Future
Other Attachments and Links
Category Name Description